Not to split hairs, but incised carving is usually the "gouging out" of the leather rather than cutting it with a swivel knife. But incised carving can also be done with a swivel knife. Now, are you thoroughly confused? The best way to describe this would be three examples from my collection that are pictured in Packing Iron. The holster on page 80 (left side) was incised carved with a swivel knife. The Gallatin holster on page 85 (with gold scales) was incised carved with a gouge. The leather was actually removed to create the carving pattern. The Main & Winchester holster pictured on page 79 was done with a swivel knife, BUT because the carved pattern has a "stippled" back ground, it is not considered incised carving. Incised carving or as CQMD put it (2D) never has a stippled back ground. 3D carving always has a stippled back ground and that is what makes it 3D. I have many M&W Slim Jims and all have a stippled back ground. In fact my original 1894 M&W catalog shows only holsters with this back ground.